Thursday, January 22, 2015

Crazy, Busy, Wonderful Life

Kayleigh Update
When you say, "I love you."  She responds, "Love you."  Then when you say, "I love you more."  She responds, "More."
She responds, "Okay" in the sweetest voice ever when you ask her questions.
She will also say, "ya" and "uh uh" for no. :)
She loves Noah and excitedly says, "Noah!" and gives him loves.  She has a hard time saying Makenna...but she loves to play with her and give her loves too.
She loves her "da da" too, but gives him a hard time.  She only gives him loves when she feels like it.
She has the sweetest voice ever.  Probably the sweetest sounding voice of all of my kids at this age.  She can say quite a few words and is a pretty smart baby girl.  It is cute because she is our biggest "giggler."  If she is excited she will talk and giggle.  If she is happy to see me she will say, "Mom!" and then giggle with glee that I'm there.   But boy is she sooooooo ornery and has a bit of a mean streak.  We call her our little honey badger because she is cute, but extremely feisty.
She loves to sing and dance.  She loves to do everything that her older siblings are doing.   Often resulting in hurting herself.  Kayleigh is just growing and learning and getting more used to this world full of adventure.  She starts Nursery soon at church and it is crazy that she is almost 18 months!
She loves milk and pretty much lives off of it.
She is one of the best parts of my day. :-)





Halloween 2014:
This year we just went to our ward's (church) Truck or Treat and the kids had a blast.  Kayleigh tried to do her own thing all night and free herself from mom and dad.  Noah was a Creeper from the computer/video game Minecraft.  Makenna was Bat Girl and Kayleigh was a M&M.



Christmas 2014:
It was so fun and the kids were excited.  Noah had his first Christmas Program at school.  I am such a sap that when he was up there so excited and singing I got a little choked up and had to fight back the tears.  I was just so overwhelmed with love and pride.  It's just awesome being a parent.  We had a wonderful Christmas morning and then spent the afternoon at Tommy's parents. We couldn't get Kayleigh to even help open one of her presents.  She was not interested in that part.  Just wanted to play with the gifts afterwards. It was a good day and wonderful vacation with Daddy and Noah home with us girls.








Noah is loving school and is reading and writing so well.  He is quite the gamer so mom has to be, "Soo mean" and make him get off video games to you know exercise and keep his mind creative.  Or you know hang out with his wonderful family.  :)  He is still a really good big brother and tries his best to be a good kid.

  

Makenna is still our little princess and loves to have anybody play tea party, Doc Mcstuffins, or cash register with her.  She loves to have anybody play with her period.  She loves to wear tutus, skirts, and have her nails painted.  She is taking a multi-dance class which includes, tap, ballet, and tumbling and absolutely loves it.  She loves to call her baby sister, "Kay Kay."  She is a happy, loving little girl.





Tom is working hard at his job for Chase and has also begun taking classes at The University of Phoenix.  He is hoping to keep working to get his Bachelor's degree.  So when he is home he is often doing homework now.  He is a hardworking and loving husband and father and we are very lucky to have him.  He has been the Executive Secretary for a few years now at church and really loves working with the Bishopric.  He is one awesome guy and I'm lucky he is mine.

I am doing really well.  I love being able to stay home with my babies.  Is it always sunshine and roses?? No, but I feel it is where I am supposed to be and what I am supposed to be doing right now.  At church I work in the Young Women's again.  I love working with the girls 12-18 years old in our ward.  I specifically get to teach the Laurels (16-18 year old) girls at church almost every Sunday and I love it.
I feel like my testimony in Heavenly Father and the Gospel has grown so much these past few years.  I have been better about studying the scriptures and conference talks lately and I know that has helped.  I find myself feeling so very grateful for the church in my life.  It provides so many answers and provides the best map that leads straight to happiness.  I love how it helps me know how to best help my kids through this life.  It gives Tommy and I so many tools to be better parents.  It provides wonderful leaders/teachers who are amazing examples to our children through youth activities and Sunday school and primary lessons.   The church gives us tools that help us live this life as best we can, following Heavenly Father and finding happiness despite the trials that come and go.  It is so nice knowing that we are children of God who loves us and that despite the hard times, if we stick to the Gospel we will be able to live with him again.
The Prophet and other church leaders have often stressed the importance of having daily family prayer and scripture study as well as weekly family home evening.  Tom and I just recently started implementing these things very regularly in our home and what a difference it has made.  We are able to have many gospel discussions with our kids (even though they are so young) and they have learned so much and so have we.  Also, we have family prayer and scripture study before bed and Tom and I have found that when we started doing this we had SOOOOO much more patience at bed time and enjoyed that quality time of story book reading, singing, and talking with our babies so much more thoroughly.  And I know that it is a blessing from following the counsel of the Lord's leaders.  Also, it is great to have Family Home Evening because it allows us to have more quality family time together.  We make an effort to ride bikes, go to the park, and play with our kids more extensively...the whole family participating...at least once a week.  It's been great.
I am just so grateful that I belong to the church of Jesus Christ of Latter Saints.  I am also so thankful for the Savior Jesus Christ who atoned for all of my sins and shortcomings.   I want my kids to know that I know without a doubt that ours is the true church.  I know that following the gospel principals and keeping the commandments is the best way to find happiness in this life now and then eternal happiness with our Heavenly Father if we live the best lives that we can while here.  I pray every day that I can be a good mom to my children and teach them what they need to know, what God would have them know so that they will always try their best to do what's right.  I suppose I will be praying for that from here on out! :)
Well we are all doing very well.  We have trials.  Things do not always go perfectly.  But we are happy and are enjoying this adventure called life. :)